How to Use the GPA Calculator
This calculator helps you determine your Grade Point Average (GPA) based on letter grades and credit hours. You can calculate either a term GPA for a single semester or your new cumulative GPA after adding new courses.
For Term GPA Calculation:
- Select the "Term GPA" tab
- Enter each course name
- Select the letter grade you received
- Enter the number of credit hours for each course
- Add additional courses as needed
- Click "Calculate GPA" to see your term GPA
For Cumulative GPA Calculation:
- Select the "Cumulative GPA" tab
- Enter your current overall GPA
- Enter the total number of credit hours you've completed so far
- Add your new courses with their grades and credit hours
- Click "Calculate GPA" to see your new cumulative GPA
Understanding GPA Calculation
Your GPA is calculated using a weighted average formula that takes into account both the grade points and the credit hours for each course.
Grade Point Values:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
Term GPA Formula:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Quality Points = Grade Points × Credit Hours
For example, if you have these three courses:
- Biology (A, 4 credits): 4.0 × 4 = 16 quality points
- English (B+, 3 credits): 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 quality points
- History (C, 3 credits): 2.0 × 3 = 6 quality points
Your GPA calculation would be:
Total Quality Points = 16 + 9.9 + 6 = 31.9
Total Credit Hours = 4 + 3 + 3 = 10
GPA = 31.9 ÷ 10 = 3.19
Cumulative GPA Formula:
New Cumulative GPA = (Previous Quality Points + New Quality Points) ÷ (Previous Credits + New Credits)
Common GPA Questions
What is considered a good GPA?
GPA expectations can vary by institution and program, but generally:
- 3.5-4.0: Excellent, eligible for academic honors
- 3.0-3.49: Very good, typically meets graduate school requirements
- 2.5-2.99: Satisfactory
- 2.0-2.49: Passing, but may be below requirements for certain programs
- Below 2.0: Often considered academic probation territory
How can I improve my GPA?
To improve your GPA, consider these strategies:
- Focus on higher-credit courses - Doing well in 4-credit courses has more impact than 1-credit courses
- Retake courses - Many schools allow you to retake courses where you received poor grades
- Seek academic help early - Visit tutoring centers or office hours at the first sign of difficulty
- Take a balanced course load - Don't overload yourself with too many difficult courses in one term
- Consider Pass/Fail options - Some schools allow certain courses to be taken pass/fail, which won't affect GPA
Do all colleges calculate GPA the same way?
No, GPA calculation can vary between institutions. Some differences include:
- Some schools use different grade scales (e.g., 5.0 scale for honors courses)
- Some institutions don't use plus/minus grading
- Policies on repeated courses vary (some count only the highest grade, others average all attempts)
- Treatment of transfer credits differs across institutions
Always check your specific institution's policies on GPA calculation.